I figured that I would start this post, I know that I learned what I know about inboards in a hurry, and it was ALL after I bought the boat. I think that we can all add our .02 to help people out that have never owned an inboard before.
Inboards are cool because they are generally a high end boat, and they are usually made of top quality parts. They also have high performance, both in handling and power. They are somewhat limited in top speed, they are designed to be tug boats. Most have a relatively flat transom, which some say makes them good wakeboarding boats. You can control speed very precisely, especially on a direct drive (hump in the middle of the boat) The engine faces forward under the hump (usually) and a shaft is attached to the back of the motor and goes to a gearcase/clutch. In my E22, it happens to be a 1.23:1 drive. In other inboards it is a 1:1. It passes through the hull via a driveshaft packing bushing, and turns a bronze prop. There is a separate rudder behind the prop. For this reason, inboards (D and Vdrive) don't turn well at low speeds. The prop does not turn with the rudder as in an Inboard/Outboard (I/O) You get used to it, turn the wheel all the way and bump the gas to get the back end to turn. SLOWLY!I can easily spin my boat around inside a 30 ft circle.
V drives have the engine in the back facing backwards. The driveshaft goes forward to a gearbox/clutch, then to a conical gearset called a V drive. It is shaped like a V, and points the output shaft out through the hull. There is a prop and a rudder, like a direct drive. From underneath, they look the same. There is a more I/O like seating arrangement in a V drive. They are more difficult to access than a D drive with a clamshell engine cover.
There are usually tracking fins mounted to the hull in the middle, about where the ski pylon is on a D drive. They keep the back of the boat from getting pulled sideways as much by the rider.
The exhaust exits through big open mufflers through the transom, so they sound cool too.
Enough for this one, somebody else post something about what tools/parts you need to have on board!
